Disaster Preparedness – COVID-19

The World Health Organization provides guidance for businesses and employers about the Coronavirus, formally known as COVID-19. Around the world, officials in government, education, and industry are preparing for a prolonged epidemic. That could include significant shifts to the day-to-day economy–school closures, remote work requirements, and sequestered populations are all possible. Just as we need to be prepared for hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, earthquakes, and fires, the workplace must be prepared for pandemics and epidemics like the coronavirus. Read on to learn about business considerations.

Enable Your Employees to Work Remotely

No matter where you live or what industry you work in, it’s time now to prepare for telecommuting work from your whole team. Having an emergency telecommuting plan in place before a disaster strikes can keep your business functioning while your employees stay busy in the safety of their own homes.

Make Sure Remote Work Connections are Secure

What supports remote work is the technology that makes it possible. Remote access software allows you to remotely control a computer from a different location and device (a laptop at home). That way you can access all your apps, files, and information, just like physically sitting at the office. In addition, VPNs (virtual private networks) can provide secure access to sensitive data housed on private networks. Using a VPN, your public Internet connection is encrypted and your online activity is shielded. However, home computers using a VPN to connect to an office network can still present cybersecurity problems—if a unprotected home computer happens to get ransomware, it can adversely impact your organization..

Test Your Backups to Ensure They are Fully Automated

If your regular data backup requires you or another employee to physically touch a hard drive, you aren’t fully protected. Fully automated data backup that can be a lifesaver for your business in the face of natural or man-made disasters. Off-site backups are securely transmitted and regularly and redundantly stored in multiple locations to account for the possibility of widespread power failures. In the event of an emergency, remote virtualization can get your business up and running in an alternate location as long as your backups work properly.

Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan

Although it may seem too early to prepare for something that has just started, preparation is key in dealing with something as significant as coronavirus. Consider signing up with an emergency texting service that can immediately transmit emergency announcements and updated information. Employees should understand their work-from-home responsibilities. Once the emergency is over, everyone should understand their responsibilities for getting back to work in a safe and timely manner.

As your technology advisor we have extensive experience assisting businesses through disasters and we know how to leverage productivity and efficiency tools to keep everyone working in the office or from home. Contact us today to find out how we can help you prepare.